Bobbies' late surge ends Muleshoe's playoff journey

The Lady Mules had won two previous playoff games by a combined three points. However, Dimmitt used its own magic late to knock off Muleshoe 72-66 in a Class 3A girls regional quarterfinal basketball game.

The Bobbies used a 12-3 run in the final three minutes to push them into a regional semifinal game Friday at Municipal Coliseum. Dimmitt (22-9 overall) will play the Comanche-Bowie winner in Friday's regional semifinals.

A key for the Bobbies down the stretch was free throws; they hit six of seven in their late run.

"I think the free throws were the big difference," Dimmitt head coach Chris Edwards said. "We were able to come to the line and hit the big ones when they counted."

The Bobbies hit 26-of-35 from the charity stripe overall. Muleshoe, on the other hand, hit just 14-of-25.

Muleshoe (15-17) took its first lead since the second quarter when Lindsey Field's basket put it ahead 57-56 with 6:38 left in the game. The Lady Mules stretched their advantage to 63-60 midway through the final stanza on Chyla Torres' layup.

After the Summers miss, Heather Wise grabbed the offensive rebound, scored and was fouled. She converted the free throw, giving the Bobbies a 66-64 lead with 1:59 remaining.

Torres tied the score on a basket, but Dimmitt took the lead for good at 68-66 when Summers broke free for an easy score with 1:10 left.

Muleshoe had an opportunity to retake the lead, but Gartin missed a 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining. Wise and Tonya Robertson each drained a pair of free throws to put the Lady Mules away.

Dimmitt had a 41-33 halftime cushion and built its lead to as much as 10 point. But Field, who scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half, converted a 3-point opportunity, bringing Muleshoe within 54-51 after three quarters.

"We had an opportunity to win the game," Muleshoe head coach Jim Gruhlkey said. "I'm proud of the way we fought back. We just couldn't close the game out."

The game was closely called from the outset as both teams were called for 22 fouls.

"It made it tough," said Dimmitt guard Stephanie Hinojosa, who led the Bobbies with 21 points. "You just have to keep your head and just go with the refs."

The Lady Mules opened the game on fire as they hit 10 of their first 11 shots. Erin Wilhite, who scored a game-high 22 points, put Muleshoe ahead 24-19 early in the second quarter with a basket and a free throw.

The Bobbies stormed back and finished the second quarter on a 14-6 run. The Lady Mules committed 15 turnovers in the first half, thanks to Dimmitt's full-court pressure.